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Silent Faith

Recently I made a trip to Haiti with a mission organization named GoServ Global (formerly called Global Compassion Network). My brother Paul is the Executive Director of this Iowa-based ministry. I flew to the city of Les Ceyes with him and his wife Joan in a twin engine turbo prop plane that seats 8 people. The pilot of the plane is one of the two visionaries God called from their humble farms to start this incredible outreach.

While I was there, I saw intense human suffering. On the surface it would seem to be the result of multiple natural catastrophes, from earthquakes to hurricanes. But beneath the surface, at the root of all of it, is one thing – sin. Political and personal corruption fueled by greed has permeated every part of that culture. The suffering of the innocent is the most disturbing, yet that is where I saw the most hope.

GoServ Global is focused on meeting the needs of the suffering innocents. They have established a well-run orphanage that also serves as a public school for some 400 children. There is a medical clinic on the grounds that is permanently staffed. There is a new dental clinic that is staffed one week out of every month by American Christian dentists. There are plans to expand the services offered with an additional optical clinic to be staffed by American Christian doctors much like the dental clinic.

But what impressed me the most was this – they are meeting the needs of only a small percentage of the people in that country, yet they are doing exactly what God has asked them to do and no more. I was so impressed with the spirit of each member of the organization who cries out to God for the magnitude of suffering around them but silently waits for God to reveal what they are to do. And then they do it with excellence.

I have had trouble with that all my life. You see, I am a fixer. I want to make it all better. I want every problem solved. But God spoke clearly to me on this trip to learn to be silent and wait for Him to speak and act.

As I evaluated that, I didn’t like my conclusions. I am a fixer because of pride. I want to be noticed for my abilities. I choose to trust my experience and capabilities as my primary resource. I want to bring an end to problems, especially those caused by injustice, because it will validate my position as being the right one. IT’S ALL PRIDE! It takes humility to sit in silence and wait for God.

In the midst of all the suffering and corruption in Haiti, GoServ Global is focused on only the things God asked them to do. That’s why they are so productive, because it is God directing it and doing it through humble servants of Christ.

We all need to learn, as they have learned, that the pride of doing what we want cannot coexist with statements of faith in God. Listen to what King David said in Psalm 62 –

verses1-2 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Verses 5-8 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Twice David says that he needs to wait in silence until God speaks. It is not faith to take refuge in our strength. It is not faith to try to stand strong on the sinking sand of our experience. It is not faith to solve problems our way. It is not faith to trust our own abilities. It is not faith to put our hope in our wisdom or resources.

It is faith to be silent. It is faith to be still, and know that He is God. He is our rock and our salvation. He is our refuge. He is our hope.